The Apostle Peter warned that in the last days “scoffers will come” who would ridicule biblical ideas such as the promise that Jesus would return (2 Peter 3:3-4). Today these skeptics are publishing books that ridicule people who believe in God and the Bible as people who believe in “The God Delusion” and they openly state that “God Is Not Great.” These modern skeptics have fostered an attitude of disrespect not only for religion and religious figures, but for authority figures such as parents, teachers, police and government officials. We need to be careful that these critical attitudes in society do not spill over into the Church of God and affect our attitudes toward the leaders and members of the Body of Christ. Peter also warned that false teachers would come who “despise authority” because they are presumptuous, self-willed and want to do their own “thing” (2 Peter 2:1, 10). The Apostle Paul urged Christians to respect authority and be subject to governments because God is the Author of structure and organization (Romans 13:1-2). Questioning, criticizing, disrespecting and ignoring authority only leads to confusion and chaos—and God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). We need to be alert and aware of the fruits that flow from the age of skeptics.
